One of the UK’s oldest rowing clubs, Aberdeen Boat Club (ABC), has announced it will hold a first ever ‘Row past’ event on the River Dee in July.
The free event, sponsored by GDF SUEZ E&P UK Ltd., part of the ENGIE Group, will see more than 100 rowers and boats take to the water in a celebratory rowing event taking place on Saturday, July 18 on the waters of the river Dee.
Stunning large dragon boats, not seen on the city’s river for many years, will also play a part in the celebrations which include children’s activities, hog roasts, a bungee run and live music throughout the day-long celebrations.
Starting at midday on Saturday July 18, the celebrations will continue throughout the day at the city’s boat club venue based at South Esplanade West in Torry and will build up to the exciting first ever row past, which will take place at 4pm.
Rowers from clubs around the city will take all of the Aberdeen Boat Club’s boat fleet onto the water from 2.30pm onwards. Large and small boats will take part in the row past with rowers from schools, universities and veteran clubs all taking to the water to mark the event.
The rowers and boats will set off from King Charles bridge at 4pm and the best viewing points for the public will be from marked viewing points along Riverside Drive and North Esplanade West..
Public are then invited to visit the historic boat club and enjoy entertainment and food until 6pm.
Sponsor, GDF SUEZ E&P UK Ltd, is a neighbour to Aberdeen Boat Club, based on opposite bank of the River Dee on North Esplanade West. Its Operations & Engineering Manager, Keith Murphy, said:
“It is an extraordinary milestone for the boat club and as a new neighbour and investor in the area we’re honoured to contribute to the 150th anniversary celebrations.”
Jim Steel, Aberdeen Boat Club president said: “We are really excited to be recognising the boat club and its historic 150th anniversary with this exciting row past event. It will be a tremendous sight with so many rowers and boats on the river and it will remind us all of the important role rowing, the boat club and the river have played in the city’s rich and varied history. We are delighted that our partner, GDF SUEZ E&P UK Ltd, has been able to support this event and we look forward to seeing many members of the public and our communities at the event on July 18.”
For more information on the club and its history visit the website here: www.abc-dee.co.uk/